Optative indicates that the speaker wishes or hopes that the expressed proposition be the case [Bybee, Perkins, and Pagliuca 1994, 179; Palmer 2001, 204].

Usage Notes

Examples

Language Code: xsl
In Alyawarra and Slave, and also in Chepang, where the possibility marker does not carry the deleterious implication, the gram in question can also be used to issue warnings or (in other words) as an admonitive. 2009-06-04 13:28:08

go̜ts'í

sóné

2.S.OPT.lie

PROH

Don't ever lie.

References:Bybee, Perkins and Pagliuca [1994: 212]

Language Code: xsl
In Alyawarra and Slave, and also in Chepang, where the possibility marker does not carry the deleterious implication, the gram in question can also be used to issue warnings or (in other words) as an admonitive. 2009-06-04 13:28:08